Routines.

There was about a week of cold weather here in New York and of course Maxwell got a cold which he passed to me, and now I'm under the weather.  That being said, there is just too much to do before school starts this Wednesday. I am one of those "Fall Cleaners" who must get everything in order before the new routines begin. I went through my house from top to bottom today and I still feel like there is more to do. I could take a whole weekend to organize and simplify. But I did what I could today, even being sick.

Scarlett starts 1st grade tomorrow and it's back to school schedules. On top of that, Ty and I are working out on a schedule and meal prepping to basically keep us both on track. It's hard to keep on track when life is busy. It REALLY is. And that is why I have to prep it all in advance in order for it to work for me. I have pretty healthy eating habits in general but I will graze all day long if I don't have a plan. Or I don't time block correctly and something gets left out, like working out. Someone asked me what I do to keep it all together once I'm getting up at 5am every morning for work, getting Maxwell to daycare, working full time and then getting home to get kids off the bus, dinner ready, baths done, spend some QT with the kids and still managing to work out in there somewhere. Oh, and I have a husband too.

It fails unless I have a plan. I must have a plan. So here is my plan and what works for us. I only work out 3-4 times a week because I know that if I try to do more, I will end up neglecting other priorities and feeling guilty etc etc. I have to spend some time with my kids and husband too. 

My meal plan and workout routine is as follows: (my husband has his own routine and the kids eat the same dinners) Everything we eat is Organic unless I absolutely cannot find it organic at the store. Sometimes if it's not in season, this is the case. Also, you will notice I DO eat chocolate or sweet things, I just make sure they are of good ingredients. You will see what I am talking about if you click on the links to some of the meals/snacks that I post below. You will also notice that on the days I work out, I have an extra snack or mini meal. That is because I am trying to gain muscle. The protein I use is HERE. Last, I drink 1/2 my weight in ounces of water each day.

My Meal Plan:

Monday: 60-65 Oz of water

Breakfast: Fruit & Yogurt Bowl 

Snack: Cottage Cheese and a kiwi

Lunch: 1 Hard Boiled egg, carrots, PB on a wrap and 1 piece of organic dark chocolate

Snack: Protein Shake 

Dinner: Filet Mignon, Sweet Potatoes & Strawberry Spinach Salad

Tuesday: 60-65 oz of water

Breakfast: Chocolate Banana Protein Muffin (these double for great snacks for the kids) & Black Coffee

Snack: Cheese slices & almonds

Lunch: 1 Hard Boiled egg, Turkey wrap & raw coconut chunks 

Snack: Apples with peanut butter

Dinner: Crustless Quiche

Snack: Protein Shake (After workout) 

Wednesday:60-65 oz of water

Breakfast:Yogurt Bowl with chocolate protein shake 

Snack: Cottage cheese with cucumbers

Lunch: Tuna on Salad greens with 1/2 a whole wheat wrap 1 piece of organic dark chocolate

Snack: Coconut chunks

Dinner: Healthy Fajitas 

Thursday: 60-65 oz of water

Breakfast: Chocolate Banana Protein Muffin with black coffee

Snack: Cheese slices & almonds

Lunch: 1 Hard Boiled egg, carrots, PB wrap and 1 kiwi

Snack: Avocado Toast with eggs, spinach and tomato
Dinner: Healthy Turkey Chili 

Snack: Protein Shake (After workout)

Friday: 60-65 oz of water

Breakfast: Cottage Cheese on toast with fruit

Snack: organic turkey jerky strips

Lunch: 1 Hard boiled egg, salad and 

Snack: apples with peanut butter

Dinner: Guacamole Turkey Burgers (with no bun) 

Snack: Protein Shake (after Workout)

Weekend day 1: 60-65 oz of water

Breakfast: Omelets with a Protein Iced Coffee Smoothie

Snack: cottage cheese with kiwi

Lunch: Chicken, sweet potato and broccoli bowl 

Snack: avocado, tomato and egg on toast with 

Dinner: Chicken and Black Bean Burrito Bowl 

Snack: Protein Shake (After workout)

Weekend day 2: Keep it healthy but allowing 1 cheat meal & an alcoholic drink or two if I choose

As for my workouts, I have had the help from a friend and personal trainer to obtain my goals...which is a curvier figure. I just began this work out last week after doing the Bikini Body Burn series for 11 weeks. I switch my workout days each week because it's literally impossible not to when you have kids. BUT, I make sure to keep it consistent and follow the plan according to days and rest time in between. For those of you who don't have a personal trainer, I would suggest doing the Bikini Body Burn series or trying Tone It Up, which I haven't personally tried but have friend's who have amazing results from it. Again I only work out 4 days a week but I try to add one day of outdoor activities in there also. 

Workout Days:

Tuesday: Focus: Butt & thighs

Thursday: chest, Back & cardio

Friday: Arms & Core

Saturday:  Focus: Butt & thighs

Sunday: Walk, bike ride or outdoor activity 

Then the kids lunches always look something like THIS. My kids love raw veggies and fruits so it makes it easy for me when it comes to packing lunches. I will post another post on what I meal plan for them soon.